The Introduction to Philanthropic Planning Certificate is designed for advisors seeking a foundational baseline or refresh in modern philanthropic advising. The program introduces core vocabulary, frameworks, and tools to help clients articulate purpose, align giving with values, and pursue meaningful social impact. Participants gain a clear understanding of the Philanthropic Advising Competency Model, the nine components of contemporary philanthropic planning, and the evolving social impact toolkit—including donor-advised funds, private foundations, and emerging structures.

The Behavioral Philanthropy Certificate, created in partnership with ideas42, helps advisors deepen their understanding of how behavioral science and philanthropic advising intersect. The program explores the psychological factors that influence donor behavior, common barriers to giving, decision-making processes, and the role of social and family dynamics in philanthropic outcomes.

As women take a more active role in financial decision-making, understanding their goals and investment preferences is a business imperative. As clients, women are more likely to donate to charities, want to involve their families in philanthropy, and invest in social and environmental impact goals. In this certificate, you’ll gain insights into the differentiated needs, preferences, and behaviors of women in managing their finances and how those decisions are reflected in their philanthropy and social impact goals.

Approximately 69% of business owners intend to incorporate charitable giving into their plans for exiting their businesses. In this certificate, you’ll learn about wealth building through business ownership and the philanthropic planning implications of various business structures and assets. You’ll gain insights into frameworks for managing companies’ philanthropy and social impact programs. You’ll also learn about your role in helping business owners find their purpose and meet philanthropic planning goals before, during, and after exits from their businesses.

The Impact Investing Certificate equips advisors with fluency in core concepts and key terminology, an understanding of common impact investment vehicles, and the ability to evaluate how impact strategies can complement and extend traditional philanthropy by balancing financial performance with measurable social and environmental outcomes. The curriculum addresses evolving market dynamics, regulatory considerations, and clientappropriate opportunities.

The Gift Planning Certificate equips advisors with the knowledge and tools to help clients make meaningful, tax-efficient gifts that reflect their values and create lasting legacies. You’ll explore the fundamentals of gift planning, the giving vehicles every advisor should know about, and forward-thinking strategies for donating noncash assets. The curriculum blends technical expertise with cultural and values-driven insights, preparing advisors to navigate complex planning conversations and solutions for clients and organizations.

Donors and foundations increasingly want to work alongside other donors. They want to leverage their peers’ knowledge, resources, and lists of effective nonprofits, movements, and impact investments. You’ll explore global trends, research, and case studies on collaborative funds, giving and investing circles, women’s funds, and similar tools. Developed with Philanthropy Together, this program provides you with actionable strategies to integrate collective and collaborative giving practices into your client offerings.